8 Day North Island Highlights Private New Zealand Tour

What Chris Cameron is offering

Stunning beaches, geysers, mud pools, active volcanoes, Maori Culture and New Zealand city culture at its best in our capital city, this private North Island Highlights New Zealand tour has it all. Welcome to 'The Road Trip' where your journey begins.
Day 1 Arrival Auckland
You will be welcomed to NZ and met by one of our friendly guides and ‘The Road Trip’ begins. Sights will include a visit to one of Auckland’s inner city beaches, Mission Bay, where it is possible to see stunning Pohutakawa trees. The tour will also take in sights such as Mt Eden, a stunning viewpoint and one of Auckland’s most famous volcanic craters and a visit to the famous Auckland Harbour Bridge to view the exclusive Ponsonby Yacht Club. Tonight serves us up the possibility to eat in one of Auckland’s many waterfront restaurants as we watch the world ‘sailing’ by and look forward to the North Island tour ahead.
Day 2 Auckland- Whitianga via Coromandel (210km approx. 4 hours driving)
South we go. Leaving New Zealand’s largest city we head for the Coromandel, one of the key locations for the New Zealand gold rush in the 1800's. En route depending on how you feel there may be time for a walk through one the region's many kauri tree forests where you will encounter the flora and fauna of New Zealand’s North Island at its best. We follow the coast road to the town of Coromandel where we take a trip on ‘ The Driving Creek Railway’, New Zealand's only narrow-gauge mountain railway along with a working pottery and wild life sanctuary. From there we take the stunningly scenic inland route to the coastal town of Whitianga, known for the famous Buffalo Beach and its palm trees that line the shore. This will be our base for the next 2 nights.
Day 3- Whitianga
Today is a day of leisure around Whitianga. Some of the many things to see and do include: Kayaking, fishing, coastal walkways and scenic boat cruises. But of course, none of this would be complete without a visit to the legendary ‘Hot Water Beach’ where the thermal water underneath the sand can reach temperatures of up to 70 degrees C, a must see on any New Zealand tour.
Day 4- Whitianga- Rotorua ( 232km approx. 4 hours driving time)
Today we make our way south through the kiwifruit growing district of New Zealand, The Bay Of Plenty, known for its mild all year round climate. We will visit a kiwifruit farm en route and have a look up close at how they grow and the many products that can be made from them. We arrive in Rotorua late afternoon where we could have a walk through the wonderful redwood forests or take a tour through a thermal mud pool reserve and view Rotorua's stunning Government Gardens and lakefront. Tonight you also have the option to attend a ‘Hangi’ , a traditional Maori concert and feast where you can experience our native culture up close. (optional).
Day 5- Rotorua
In and around Rotorua there are many activities to undertake. Why not take a ride up the gondola, go for a scenic volcanic flight or treat yourself with a soak in Rotorua’s Blue Baths, the perfect way to unwind.
Day 6- Rotorua to Tongariro National Park (approx. 145km 2 hours driving time)
Heading south through ‘ Thermal Wonderland’ , our first point of call for the day is Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, a wonderland of stunning geothermal activity. We will visit New Zealand’s largest thermal mud pool, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours. Heading south we stop at the mind-blowingly powerful Huka Falls to reach Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Winding our way around Lake Taupo we reach our destination for the evening of Tongariro National Park where we will overnight with stunning views of New Zealand’s three most stunning volcanoes: Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngarahoe(Mt Doom).
Day 7- Tongariro National Park-Wellington (331km approx. 5 hours driving time)
If we are feeling active this morning there is a possibility of taking one of the many stunning short walks in the Tongariro National Park. Heading south we arrive in Wellington in the afternoon to discover New Zealand’s capital city. We take a Wellington city tour taking in sights such as Mt Victoria, Wellington’s most spectacular viewpoint with 360 degree views of the city, harbour and mountain ranges in the background. We also visit parliament and Te Papa Museum. In the evening we take a wander through the bustling streets of Wellington where we can enjoy a meal on the waterfront.
Day 8- Departure
Today you will be transferred to your onward travel and on to your next adventure. We trust that you have had ‘The Road Trip’ of a lifetime.